Organized Crime Allegedly Controls Ashdod Food Delivery Sector
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Eyal Nagar and Maor Azriel have been indicted for allegedly controlling Ashdod's food delivery sector through extortion and threats, with the state claiming organized crime involvement and money laundering up to 13 million shekels. The investigation, aided by undercover agents, revealed alleged intimidation tactics used to force businesses to use Azriel's "Mar Delivery" company and prevent competition. Nagar faces numerous charges including extortion and money laundering, while Azriel has reportedly confessed and may testify against Nagar.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Eyal Nagar and Maor Azriel are indicted for allegedly controlling Ashdod's food delivery sector through extortion.
- The state claims organized crime has taken over the sector, with alleged money laundering reaching 13 million shekels.
- Undercover agents helped expose the alleged criminal activities between May 2025 and August 2026.
- Nagar is accused of thousands of counts of extortion, conspiracy, and money laundering.
- Azriel has reportedly confessed and may testify against Nagar in a potential plea deal.
- Allegations include extorting money from Azriel and forcing businesses to use "Mar Delivery".
The Southern District Prosecutor's Office has filed indictments against Eyal Nagar, who allegedly led a violent criminal group, and Maor Azriel, manager of the "Mar Delivery" company, accusing them of extortion and threats within Ashdod's food delivery industry. The prosecution claims that organized crime has taken over the sector, controlling businesses and delivery drivers through fear, with alleged money laundering reaching 13 million shekels. The state asserts that Nagar used his criminal reputation to intimidate Azriel and other business owners, forcing them to cooperate with "Mar Delivery" and deterring independent delivery operators from competing.
The investigation, which spanned from May 2025 to August 2026, utilized undercover agents who infiltrated the local food delivery market. Nagar is charged with thousands of counts of extortion, conspiracy, protection racket demands, corporate record fraud, income tax evasion, evidence destruction, and money laundering totaling 10 million shekels. Azriel, who founded "Mar Delivery" in 2018 and expanded its operations in 2025, became a secret 20% partner of Nagar's in 2023 without official registration.
According to the indictment, Nagar extorted approximately 180,000 shekels from Azriel. Additionally, business owners Roey Safana and Yiniv Azran, allegedly with Nagar's help, extorted 400,000 shekels from Azriel after he falsely tried to charge them 25,000 shekels for delivery services. Nagar also allegedly demanded funding for a diamond course and two iPhones for his wife, Ofir Nagar, and insisted Azriel rent an apartment for the criminal Assaf Barda upon his release from prison.
Nagar and Azriel are also accused of using threats to shut down delivery operations established by Daniel Zrihan, Dor Esbag, and Daniel Karadi. Separately, Azriel has been indicted but reportedly confessed to his role and described Nagar's actions, suggesting a potential plea deal where he might testify against Nagar. Azriel faces charges including conspiracy, extortion, threats, protection racket demands, evidence destruction, fraud, tax offenses, and money laundering totaling 13 million shekels.
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